Napa Valley-based winemaker Sam Kaplan might just be having a moment these days as his Memento Mori, Vida Valiente, Arkenstone and Maxem projects are enjoying notable success despite the wine world’s current headwinds. And that’s not all he’s up to.

Kaplan joined host James Molesworth in Wine Spectator's Napa studio to talk about his path to wine, including a childhood spent with some grapevines planted on the red clay of Oklahoma, his mentorship under Pine Ridge’s Gary Andrus and his multiple current day head winemaker roles.

“From day one, I’ve made wine the way, that you know, I think wine is best, and the way I like to drink it,” says Kaplan.

Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank also joins Molesworth, for a look at the major headlines in the wine world’s first quarter of 2026.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Read more about Memento Mori
• Read More about Edge Hill
• Latest Wine News
• Ask Dr. Vinny
• Subscribe to Wine Spectator

A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Guest: Sam Kaplan

Head Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Assistant producer: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drops of God, the Apple TV series about a quest to identify some of the world’s rarest wines, won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series this past year, and season 2 debuts Jan. 21. One of the show’s biggest stars, French actress Fleur Geffrier, joined host James Molesworth in Wine Spectator's New York studio to talk about the show and how it has impacted her personal relationship with wine, as well as the upcoming season. (And we promise, no spoilers!)

"Wine is earth, sky and man—it’s our entire world," says Geffrier. "It’s part of our identity as humans."

Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank also joins us, for a look back at the biggest wine industry stories of 2025 and a look ahead, all on the newest episode of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Read more about Apple TV's Drops of God

• Learn more about the Drops of God manga series

• Latest News and Headlines

• Ask Dr. Vinny

• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newsletters

• Subscribe to Wine Spectator

A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Guest: Fleur Geffrier

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to count down Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2025! And we're talking to the man behind our 2025 Wine of the Year—both before and after he heard the big news.

Join host James Molesworth and director Rob Taylor as they reveal the most exciting wines of 2025, and then Château Giscoirs' Alexander Van Beek joins the program to talk about his life in wine, and then tell us what it was like to find out his decades of hard work have been rewarded with our highest honor.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2025

• Latest News and Headlines

• Ask Dr. Vinny

• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newsletters

• Subscribe to Wine Spectator

A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producers: Gabriela Saldivia

Guest: Alexander Van Beek

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.